Terminal connecter and the like



Sept. 8, 1931. D. .5. BAR-ET+ 1 822,192

TERMI NAL CONNECTER AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 10, 1927 Patented Sept. 8,193i uuirso STATES PATENT OFFICE? DAVID EGERTON BARNETT, OF LONDON,

TERMINAL C'ONNECTER AND THE ENGLAND LIKE Application filed September 10,1927, Serial No. 218,714, and in Great Britain October 11, 1926.

This invention relates to terminal connectors and the like, and isparticularly suitable for making connection to the screwed stems ofsparking plugs.

One object of the invention is to provide a terminal connector whichshall be readily attachable to a screwed stem, such as the stem of asparking plug, without the use of tools and by the single action ofspringing the said connector upon the said stem.

Another object is to provide a terminal connector which shall provide afirm electrical contact, and which shall remain firmly in position underthe effects of vibration.

Another object is to provide a terminal connector which shall notrequire the use of nuts or other loose parts.

Another object is to provide a terminal connector which shall not damagethe thread of a screwed stem or the like.

Another object is to provide a terminal connector which may be easilyattached to the terminal end of a cable.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

According to this invention a terminal connector or the like comprises apair of oppositely disposed jaws of resilient conducting materialconjointly formed with a bore embracing at least 180, and having aninternal screw thread adapted to engage the thread upon a screwedstem-or the like, so that when the terminal is pushed, open end first,laterally upon the said stem, the jaws are first opened and thenpartially embrace the said stem, the screw threads in the claw giving afirm engagement.

Preferably the terminal connector or the like is provided with aninsulating vhandle. Preferably also the terminal connector or the likeis provided with means for enabling a cable or wire readily to beattached thereto.

The invention is panying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows inperspective one construction in accordance with the invention Figure 2shows in;

perspective the construction illustrated in Figure 1 with the insulatingcover in part removed, Figure 3 is a top plan view of a one piececonnector with the insulating cover illustrated in the accom.

removed, and Figure 4: is a transverse sectional view taken on the linel, 4 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, my connector includes a connecting member Aformed of a single piece of conducting material having spaced endportions 1 and 11 respectively, and an intermediate reduced portion 12connecting the end portions and forming a resultant annular groove 8.The end portion 1 is split to form article attaching means comprising apair of opposed resilient jaws 3 and 4:, conjointly formed at theirouter ends with a transverse bore 1a. The

jaws may be readily forced apart when atfixing the connector to thescrewed stem of a spark plug or the like. The bore is provided with aninternal screw thread 2 for engagement with the-threads of the stem towhich the connector is afiixed, thus preventing the connector fromaccidentally becoming detached from said stem. 7

The opposite end portion 11 is provided with an inwardlyvextending axialpassage 6 which communicates with the annular 1 e groove 8 by means ofthe transverse passage 7 in the reduced portion 12, for receiving theterminal end of a cable 9. The'terminal end of the cable the passages 6and reduced portion 12, and is finally covered by an internally threadedinsulating sleeve 10,'the end portions 1 and 11 being exteriorlythreaded at 55 for engagement with the sleeve 10.

If desired the jaws split split 1, i. e. in a plane substantiallyparallel to that of a screw thread 2, as well as at he said split l.

7 Again, if desired the jaws may be formed of a conducting materialwhich is inherently springy, and in this case the split or splits in theshank may, if desired, be dispensed with. V

In a modification the jaws are formed so thatthebore is parallel to theshank.

In use the jaws of the terminal connector are sprung on to any desiredportion of the screwed stein which is to be engaged, the said stempassing between the jaws, and

7, then and shank may be 9 is first threaded through wound round thelongitudinally at right angles to the 'means will be adapted for lyingsubstantially parallel to the bore thereof. I have found that theengagement bedisplaceable, while the said jaws function in effect as anut but is instantly releasable and replaceable without the operation01" threading.

It will be observed that when the insulating sleeve 10 is positioned tocover the an nular groove 8, the jaws 3 and 4 will be exposed andadapted for attachment to a spark plug or the like.

What I claim is l. A terminal connector comprising a member formed of asingle piece of conduct ing material having spaced end portions and anintermediate reduced portion connecting the end portions and forming aresultant annular groove, one end portion being formed with articleattaching means, the other end portion being provided with an inwardlyextending axial passage communicating with said annular groove forreceiw ing the terminal end of a cable, and an insulating sleeveremovably mounted on the member and covering said annular groove, saidsleeve when so mounted being disposed between the spaced end portions ofsaid member whereby said article attaching means will be adapted forattachment to an article.

terminal connector comprising a member formed of a single piece ofconducting material having spaced end porq 2. AL

trons and an intermediate reduced portion connecting the end portionsand forming a resultant annular groove, one end portion. being formedwith article attaching means, the other end portion being provided. withan inwardly extending axial passage com municating with said annulargroove for receiving the terminal end of of the thereof and coveringsaid annular groove, said sleeve when so mounted being disposed betweenthe spaced end portions. of said member whereby said article attachingattachment to an article.

3. A terminal connector comprising a member formed of a single piece ofcon-. ducting material having spaced end portions and an intermediatereduced portion connecting the end portions and forming a resultantannular groove, one end portion being formed with opposed resilient jawsconjointly formed with a threaded bore embracing at least 180, the otherend portion eing provided with an inwardly extending axial passagecomnnmicating with said annular groove for receiving the terminal end ofa cable.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signedmy name this 30 day of August, 1927.

DAVID EGERTON BARNETT.

